Guitarist Vinnie Vincent, who was a member of KISS from 1982 – 1984, and then played in his own band, Vinnie Vincent Invasion from 1984 – 1988, has completed a new solo song, “Ride The Serpent”.
Yesterday – December 21, 2025 – Vinnie Vincent launched a pre-order for a personally autographed and numbered Collector Edition CD single of “Ride The Serpent”. The price – an astonishing $200 plus shipping – for one song. Furthermore, the CD singles will only ship once, and if, all 1000 pieces are purchased to protect against premature pirating.
Shortly thereafter, a fan named Steve Thomas Arbogast, posted the following message to social media:
“Vinnie, I love your music. I fear though, that this price will deter people from truly enjoying your beautiful art in this horrendous economy, especially if it will be this way for each single. I was hoping your new music would be released as a whole, for a fair industry standard retail price of 18.99 (or so). While I don’t assume to know your personal life and your needs that these prices would alleviate any burdens life may have thrown you, it’s a bit much for us devoted fans who are struggling to justify our electric bills and other utilities needed to feel “normal” and still have a monetary amount of cash to barely save after we put gas in the car once the bills are paid. I’ve rooted for you for decades, even when you had melted away from society to enjoy your private life, i waited for a hopeful return, and will still be your fan. I really wanted to buy a whole cd for a fair price though. I cannot now.
Much respect, and Merry Christmas.”
Vinnie Vincent subsequently issued the following lengthy reply:
“This is a directed reply and also general in nature.
First of all, consider the analogy to a Ferrari, caviar or fine art. Not everyone can afford it. That simple. And I understand.
Second, I resent your “personal life’s needs… “prices alleviate my burdens” insult. Who the fuck are you to assume such a theory because you can’t afford or don’t want to pay or don’t agree with my price… Oh but you expect a “fair market price” of 18.99…😂. Fair market price? Lol. That was yesteryear. Welcome to the new agenda. Artists can and will set their own standards and rules for the purchase price of their art, when they’ve had their sick fill of being ripped off…. that’s (if) there are any or many artists of value left, aside from the standard list. If you don’t agree with the price, don’t buy it. It’s that easy. We are nearing 2030. Inflation thru the roof. Homeless..etc..the horror list is endless. It’s a Mad Max wasteland of survival now, the wild West for artists who have No protection from shoplifter fans who download their music for free and gloat because they got away with it. Artists are the directed victims of Massive ripoffs who are reduced to beg and pander for likes and subscribes from self entitled brats who want their work for free or for next to nothing.
Yet these are the same whiners who have no problem paying a lipsyncer $500 for a brick from a house he demolished or $1000 for a sweaty pair of used socks. But you bitches cry and whine like fucking babies when VV sells something at a price you don’t like😂😂😂😂. Grow the fuck up!. My price protects me from people like “you” who will buy cheap from the theft of bootleggers who steal from me. If you don’t like what I do, what I look like, what I say, what I sell, or anything and or everything about me, don’t come here. If you like what I do, then support the artist. You bitch because it’s one song???😂😂😂. This one song is worth more than most entire albums. Consider yourself lucky that it’s only 200…and that its autographed yet. It was originally 300, but with the economy suffering as it is, I made it 200. If you don’t like it… That’s YOUR PROBLEM..NOT MINE. Don’t tread on my world and the good vibes of this fan site. There are plenty of other sites where emotionally disturbed trolls can try and disrupt. Frankly, i have no interest in whether you buy my works at my price or not. In fact, I recommend that you stay with your kiss records. You can get those fairly cheap. But then you get what u pay for. 😂😂😂My music is not for you. Let’s keep it that way. In fact I have control over who I sell to. A nice vantage point.
Unsigned artists are deer in the woods who never see a dime for their work. Signed artists are ripped off, cheated of their royalties and usually end up in court. Labels own the artists and their works. I’ve been there. Not interested. If artists had any fucking balls they would unite, form a coalition and shut down all free goods giveaway and stop the suckup pandering to social media self entitled fans and bring it all back to where it began; No free access. No free downloads and start getting paid again for their work. Artists are unprotected. The internet killed the fire and desire and the creativity and it killed the artist itself. No artist wants to give their music away for free to ungrateful self serving deadbeats. If an artist is not protected by a label, there’s no point or incentive to release their music. Third, my music is intensely desired. I’m a prime target for bootleggers. laugh all u want. It matters not. If I don’t get the fan support for this first release, it’s off the market and You’ll never get it. My price is my fair compensation for my talent hard work, and the music that fans want and wait for. And lastly, its worth every fucking penny. It’s the best designer drug on the market.. an endless high of pure fire running thru your veins🔥🔥🔥🎸🎸 VINNIE VINCENT.”
For further details, visit VinnieVincentInvasion.com.
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